TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Managers at a Bradenton restaurant say they had no idea that a Parrish man convicted in connection with last year’s Capitol riot was planning to hold a “going to prison” party at their establishment this weekend.
Adam Johnson made national headlines when he was photographed carrying House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s lectern after he entered restricted U.S. Capitol grounds on Jan. 6, 2021. Johnson pleaded guilty to entering and remaining in a restricted building in November and was sentenced in February to 75 days in prison.
A “going to prison” party was set to be hosted by Johnson at popular waterfront restaurant Caddy’s in Bradenton, but it has been canceled. A person who identified themself as a restaurant manager told WFLA by phone on Friday that Johnson had indeed scheduled the event but that staff decided to cancel the reservation due to the attention it drew.
Caddy’s now says it was not aware of the nature of the event.
“Caddy’s Bradenton is a family-friendly waterfront restaurant that had no knowledge of a ‘going to prison’ event being planned at its location,” Caddy’s said in a statement sent to WFLA.com Friday afternoon. “This event was never discussed or planned with anyone associated with the Caddy’s brand.”
According to the statement, the first time managers heard of the event was in news reports. It added that the restaurant can’t control what’s advertised on Facebook pages that aren’t associated with them.
“It has been reported falsely that Caddy’s has canceled this event,” Caddy’s said. “This event did not exist to cancel.”
“These false reports have led to multiple staff being abused, receiving threatening emails, and negative social media comments,” Caddy’s added.
Johnson has since claimed on social media that the event was a prank.
Below is Caddy’s full statement provided to WFLA.
Caddy’s Bradenton is a family-friendly waterfront restaurant that had no knowledge of a ‘Going to Prison’’ event being planned at its location. This event was never discussed or planned with anyone associated with the Caddy’s brand.
It has been reported falsely that Caddy’s has canceled this event, this event did not exist to cancel.
We can’t control what is advertised on a personal Facebook page (Unassociated with Caddy’s) to take place on April Fools Day.
The first time Caddy’s had heard of this ‘’Event’’ is after reading it today in multiple media outlets. These false reports have led to multiple staff being abused, receiving threatening emails, and negative social media comments.
If you are interested in real events being held at our locations and organized by Caddy’s please go to www.caddys.com or follow our page on Facebook and Instagram. #caddyswaterfront
And please remember to be kind to our great staff, online and offline.